A stylish city backpack that makes for a great fashion accessory. However, design takes center stage here. Do not expect the comfort and functionality you are used to from sports backpacks from the Kanken.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + original design | - unpadded back and shoulder straps |
| + can be carried by hand | - shallow side pockets |
| + compact and lightweight | - easily stained by dark clothing |
| + practical shape and spacious | |
| + eco-friendly material and production |
When the Swedish brand Fjällräven appeared in our offer, I knew it – I had to have this iconic piece! And so I did. I took the yellow beauty home and tested it thoroughly throughout the summer. And what are my impressions? Let's start from the beginning.
Clear, concise, and without unnecessary frills
Although this backpack can definitely be considered a fashion to decorative element, you won't find an abundance of decorative details or supposedly effective gadgets. Everything is designed in a minimalist spirit.
Simplicity is also reflected in the internal organization – the list of pockets starts with one main one, continues with a smaller zippered one in the front, and ends with two side ones. The latter are located where we usually see pockets intended for a bottle. However, these are relatively shallow, so I use them more for small items and store drinks in the main compartment. But that doesn't bother me much, as the main pocket can be opened wide, so you can easily orient yourself among the stored items without having to rummage through them complicatedly.
Kanken is also surprisingly spacious. Its rectangular shape works wonders, and you will likely be pleasantly surprised by how much it can hold. I don't know if I am the most suitable reference group with my frugal nature, but I managed to pack for a weekend trip with an overnight stay at a friend's place.
It doesn't fit my 15.6-inch laptop, but I knew that when choosing. However, it would easily handle one slightly smaller, so if you are owners of portable computers up to 15 inches, you can use it for these purposes as well.
A partner for the city and for travel
As for general classification, I would categorize this backpack more as an urban one. However, you will appreciate it even on trips – when empty, you can easily store it in a suitcase, and it is also very lightweight on its own. Inside, it even has a label where you can write your contact details and hope that in case of loss, an honest finder will deliver it to the provided address. But this element is probably more appreciated by smaller children (or rather their parents – I still clearly remember how embarrassed I was by signed items ?).
I haven't been caught in the rain with it yet, so I can't judge its resistance in this regard. However, according to reviews from other users, it holds up without difficulty in average rain.
The manufacturer's description also mentioned a seat pad stored in the back pocket, which also forms a thin reinforcement of the back section. It is a rectangle made of PE foam that you can simply pull out and sit wherever you like. I must admit that I imagined this element to be a bit more ingeniously designed, and for fear of losing or dirtying it, I don't use it.
To school with a Kanken?
Students and young people are undoubtedly the main target group for this fashion trend. But is it suitable for school? A4 format fits in it without problems, but I wouldn't carry mountains of textbooks in it. This brings us to perhaps the most significant (and almost the only) drawback of this backpack. Although it is very sturdy and its material is durable, the back is actually not reinforced in any way (except for the aforementioned seat pad). Likewise, the shoulder straps do not have any padding or elements that would somehow ease the burden of all that concentrated knowledge for you.
For me, two (somewhat contradictory) findings follow from this: I recommend placing something firm and flat (e.g., a book or a smaller laptop) against the back – you will definitely feel an uneven surface through the back section; however, a heavier load will cause the straps to cut into your shoulders. So, if you can't get by at school with just a tablet, one notebook, and a snack, I would choose another candidate as a school backpack.
Fashion accessory
But one thing must be said for this backpack, it just looks really good. Maybe I'm influenced by the fact that it constantly floods my Instagram accounts, blogs, and I see it quite often in the streets, and I have uncompromisingly categorized it as a top stylish "must have". Either way, it is definitely a good-looking city backpack that doesn't disrupt any leisure outfit, but at the same time attracts attention and adds flair. Simply put, with it, you don't look like you're heading to the National Theatre, nor like you've just returned from a high-altitude hike.
Besides the classic carrying on the back, you can also use it as a bag. It features two handles in the upper part, which can be fastened with an attached strap with a snap button. In this case, the shoulder straps themselves can be shortened to a minimum and secured with snap buttons so they don't get in the way unnecessarily.
However, I also noticed a minor disadvantage in the area of design. I cannot judge whether this is the case with other color combinations, but mine gets dirty relatively easily. On the back, the backpack became slightly discolored from rubbing against dark clothing, and even on the front pocket, traveling by public transport is noticeable.
Harmony with philosophy
However, it wasn't just the Kanken itself that won my sympathy, but the entire Fjällräven brand. I was won over not only by the cute little fox that curls up in their logo, but also by their philosophy. I have been interested in ecology more and more lately, as well as animal rights, so the production principles and accompanying activities of this company literally thrilled me.
The motto "leave no trace" and the "Reduce, reuse, recycle" strategy is exactly what I value in manufacturers and what I look for. The use of eco-friendly materials and procedures is already a necessity today, but Fjällräven goes even further and also dedicates itself to the protection of the endangered Arctic fox, to whose preservation it conscientiously and long-term contributes (whether financially or by spreading information).
With a fox against the grayness of city streets
What to say in conclusion? If you want a stylish city backpack that will not only be a fashion accessory but will also say something about your worldview, the Kanken is certainly the right one. Moreover, you can benefit from countless advantages, and if you don't unnecessarily expect from it, for example, what you would from your favorite hiking pack, you will certainly be satisfied.
